An early Didier Drogba free-kick – just a few minutes into the season – flopped out of his hands and into the path of oncoming Chelsea players.

Bosh. One-nil to Chelsea. One big hole appearing to swallow up Albion’s goalkeeper.

But Carson didn’t fall into it.

In fact, he has responded well, producing an excellent display against Spurs following some decent performances against Liverpool and Sunderland.

Roberto Di Matteo has always stayed fiercely loyal to the man he entrusted with the Baggies captaincy.

His backing is understandable.

Carson might have been the first Premier League goalkeeper to make a mistake but others swiftly followed: Pepe Reina, Chris Kirkland, Manuel Almunia and even the nation’s No.1 Joe Hart. All have been guilty of a ricket this season.

Which is why Di Matteo was so determined to lend his support to his first-choice shot-stopper.

And he feels Carson’s form can only improve now he is back on the England radar.

“Apart from the Chelsea game, he’s been outstanding for us,” said the Italian.

“If he concentrates and focuses on West Brom, and doing a great job on a weekly basis and we’re successful, they will look at him.

“People tend to forget, because he’s been around for a long time that he’s still a young man.

“Especially in goalkeeping terms, he is very young.

‘‘He will only get better with playing and training.

“As for mistakes, they can happen everywhere but when a goalkeeper makes a mistake it is usually a goal.

“So it is emphasised a lot more than maybe when a defender does it.

“He is maybe four or five years away from his peak and will get better.”

Di Matteo feels Boaz Myhill’s presence has been felt by Carson.

“Boaz is working hard on training and when he played a game he did really well,” he added.